Jakarta – House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Akbar Tandjung hailed on Wednesday the decision by President Megawati Soekarnoputri to appoint M.A. Rachman, a career attorney, as thenew attorney general.

"M.A. Rachman meets the qualifications to become the attorney general," Akbar told reporters at the DPR/People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) building, as quoted by Antara. "There are positive aspects to appointing a career attorney to become the attorney general as it will stimulate the prosecutors to maintain and do their best in furtherance of their career," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday night, Minister/State Secretary Bambang Kesowo announced the appointment of Rachman as attorney general, and he will be installed later on Wednesday afternoon.

Rachman was a member of expert staff to the junior attorney general for general crimes before being appointed to replace Marsillam Simanjuntak as the attorney general.

On public doubt that Rachman would investigate alleged legal violations by military personnel, Akbar asked that the new attorney general be given the opportunity to perform his duties and not immediately be declared a failure.

Meanwhile, deputy attorney general Soeparman said he was disappointed by the opinion of some legal observers that doubted the capability of a career attorney general.

He said he believed Rachman could perform his duties as the attorney general well. "He [Rachman] deserves to be the attorney general," he said, as quoted by the news agency.